The package
For such a visually orientated band, Behemoth have been rather disappointing in the DVD stakes. Both ‘Crush, Fukk, Create’ and ‘Live rebellion’ were reasonable documents of the band at the time but neither really pushed the boundaries of the format, with the former DVD suffering from an emphasis on documentaries that would normally be considered bonus features at best. Happily ‘Evangelia Heretica’, arriving on the back of one of Behemoth’s most expansive pieces of work to date (‘Evangelion’) redresses the balance.
The first disc comprises two full shows – 2008 Live in France, and 2009 Live at Stodola in Warsaw. Both are professionally filmed and benefit from crystal clear sound.
The second disc offers a complete archive of the band’s stunning (and often controversial) music videos, as well as two documentaries, both of which prove to be of passing interest but perhaps only worth watching once unless you’re the biggest fan of the band ever.
With Nergal still recovering from Leukemia, this offers the best chance to see one of the world’s mightiest deathy metal bands in full flight until the self-possessed frontman returns to his rightful place at the head of Behemoth towards the end of this year.
Behemoth Live
The Behemoth of 2011 are an utterly different prospect to the early incarnation of the band. The blackened rumble of albums such as ‘Grom’ have long been left behind and replaced with a vast, symphonic technicality that draws comparisons with Dimmu Borgir’s bombastic might and Nile’s eastern-tinged sonic attack. The pinnacle of the band’s achievements (so far) has to be the astonishing ‘Evangelion’, a dense, twisting album of relentless brutality and intelligent lyrics.
Live the band do not disappoint either. With a stage adorned with ornate mic stands and Nergal winding the crowd up into a sweaty mess, they receive a rapturous response as every perfectly executed song is spat out at maximum speed and with shockingly precise delivery. This is all captured on a DVD which benefits from being well filmed and edited (there are a few rapid cuts but not too much effects-laden tomfoolery) and presented with an utterly devastating 5.1 mix that’s up there with NIN and Arch Enemy in the presentation and sonic clarity stakes. In short, Behemoth have finally gathered together the perfect representation of their live show and this DVD is nigh-on essential for blackened death metal fans.
Of course, no matter how well filmed a DVD is, it is still nothing without the songs, but one glance at the set lists will allay any fears. The 2009 show features so much in the way of classic material that it’s hard to know where to start, but ‘Ov fire and the void’, Conquer all’, ‘as above so below’ and ‘Slaves shall serve’ all offer highlights of a set that draws together much of what makes Behemoth such a beloved force the world over.
Meanwhile the second set (filmed a year earlier) offers many of those same classics. However, the set lists are some seven songs adrift from each other and the presentation markedly different with the band notably fired up from not being on home territory. That said, the French crowd are equally rapturous, proving just how far and fast the word of Behemoth has spread.
Drawing heavily from then-current album ‘the Apostasy’, there’s a vital energy from the band that is electrifying and you’ll be drawn to the screen by sheer magnetism of Nergal’s amazing performance. The whole band are impressive. Inferno is a master of brutal, technical drumming; Nergal is a stunning frontman and guitarist; while live guitarist Seth (who also provides backing vocals) is an admirable foil for Nergal, providing a much needed boost to the band’s astonishingly heavy live sound.
Disc 2 has two documentaries, which provide on the road footage, making of… material and various other aspects of the band’s recent existence. It’s not bad but, for my tastes, I’d like to see more about the band’s formation and evolution from their impressive, if humble, black metal roots to their current position at the top of the blackened death metal heap. However, die-hard fans of the band will lap it up and the inclusion of the band’s videos is icing on the cake, making the package every bit as generous as Dimmu Borgir’s excellent ‘the invaluable darkness’ set (also out via Nuclear Blast)
And if all that really isn’t enough, there is also a bonus CD of the 2009 concert (in full) and some beautifully produced packaging in the style of Evangelion.
Overall this is the package that Behemoth fans have been dying to receive. Beautifully put together, visually and sonically awesome, and a powerful reminder of just how unstoppable Behemoth are, this is an essential purchase for fans of the band. All in all, it’s an utterly breathtaking set from a truly special band.
DVD 1 – Live In Paris 2008
Rome 64 C.E.
Slaying The Prophets Ov Isa
Antichristian Phenomenon
Demigod
From The Pagan Vastlands
Conquer All
Prometherion
Drum Solo
Slaves Shall Serve
As Above So Below
At The Left Hand Of God
Summoning Ov The Ancient Ones
Christgrinding Avenue
Christians To The Lions
Sculpting The Throne Ov Seth
Decade Ov Therion
Chant For Ezkaton 2000 E.V.
Pure Evil & Hate
I Got Erection
DVD 1 – Live in Warsaw 2009
Intro
Ov Fire And The Void
Demigod
Pan Satyros
Shemhamforash
Conquer All
Decade Ov Therion
Wolves Guard My Coffin
Christians To The Lions
At The Left Hand Ov God
Slaves Shall Serve
As Above So Below
Drum Solo
Lam
Alas Lord Is Upon Me
Antichristian Phenomenon
Chant For Ezkaton 2000 E.V.
Lucifer
DVD 2
Evangelia Nova (Documentary)
De Arte Heretika (Documentary)
Decade Ov Therion (Video)
As Above So Below (Video)
Conquer All (Video)
Slaves Shall Serve (Video)
Prometherion (Video)
At The Left Hand Ov God (Video)
Inner Sanctum (Video)
Ov Fire And The Void (Video)
Alas, Lord Is Upon Me Is Upon Me (Video)
